Keystone XL —- Farmers Union Pass Resolution

US Farmers move against Keystone XL. At their convention in San Antonio, Texas last week, the National Farmers’ Union passed a resolution adopting a new pipeline policy in response to concerns in Nebraska about TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Expect the group and other state groups to weigh in with the US State Department against the pipeline, and to put pressure on senators from states such as South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Here is the statement from the Nebraska Farmers’ Union regarding a resolution passed by the National Farmers’ Union: “Last week the National Farmers Union Convention Delegates approved pipeline policy introduced by Graham Christensen, Public Affairs Director for the Nebraska Farmers Union, designed to protect farmers, landowners, and the Ogallala Aquifer. The policies were introduced in response to member’s concerns about the Keystone XL pipeline. Nebraska Farmers Union passed a resolution opposing the project at last December’s State Convention. NEFU Public Affairs Director Graham Christensen said, “I truly value the grassroots policy procedure that National Farmers Union has adopted since the early 1900’s. This democratic process gives farmers and ranchers the opportunity to let their voice be heard on issues that are affecting them back home. In this case Midwestern landowners have felt they have been misled by a multi-national oil company that is planning to build a pipeline at all costs. Farmers have high ethical standards and expect business partners to have those same values. I am pleased that the delegated body passed language to give landowners some basic protections from pipeline companies that may have conflicting both economical and environmental interests.” The text of the pipeline policy is here: 2011 Proposed NFU Policy Dealing with Pipelines. ((25 MAR 2011))